Practical interventions undertaken to reduce pesticide intoxications – A review

Introduction
Globalization is boosting agriculture in low-income countries with an explosive increase in pesticide use. Measures must be implemented to prevent the negative effects of pesticides on health and environment. But what is functioning and what is not? And do the same interventions function in different settings?

Methods
To highlight experiences and the effectiveness of different measures, literature is reviewed and personal information gathered in 2011. Relevant databases are searched, and two researchers are independently evaluating articles to be used. 

Results
Interventions fall in three categories: 1. Legislation (International treaties, national laws and regulations), 2. Awareness raising, 3. Economic incentives. All measures can be effective but requires certain circumstances to be full filled. Legislation is effective when there is an effective control, and banning of the most toxic pesticides has shown effect also in some developing countries. Education and information requires a good quality - a few hours of education or the distribution of a pamphlet is not enough to show any differences in KAP studies. Economic incentives have proven effective to prevent accidents in agriculture, and indeed a better economy in production and sales can be effective as a rentable production is the major preoccupation for the farmers.

Discussion
An improved agricultural production is required with a growing population, and a better economy in agriculture in developing countries must be welcomed. To improve production effective pest-control is mandatory thus use of the least toxic pesticides, IPM methods and ecological methods must be promoted through effective education of the farming population, by laws and regulations, by making pesticide producers redefine their CSR policies and not least by consumer demands. An effective control with food products must take place to minimize harm full pesticide residues endangering consumers. The measures to implement are known; know its time to act!